The Journey of Coronado (1540-42)

   Document:  http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/aj/id/5363/show/5175/rec/3

Coronado (Francisco Vásquez de Coronado) was Spanish explorer who visited states that are now known as southwestern states of America (e.g. New Mexico, Arizona and Texas) between 1540-1542. I chose this account because I was particularly interested to see how Coronado and his army responded or what they witnessed upon contact with one of the native tribes. When venturing across northern Texas, they came to the settlement of the Querechos (Apache Indians). 

"They did nothing unusual when they saw our army, after which they came to talk to us with the advance guard, and asked who we were..." 

"...That they were intelligent is evident from the fact that although they conversed by means of signs they made themselves understood so well that there was no need for an interpreter."

Personally, I found this extract rather satisfying as it depicted the natives as the complete opposite of what, in history, some have portrayed them as. The native Americans were referred to quite frequently as 'savages' and by this it means unintelligent, careless and reckless, possible even animalistic. I have always been strongly against that stereotype and I feel that this extract almost proves my point. Here, the natives seem to be almost like deer in terms of nature. They appear to have a very fragile yet unaggressive approach towards Coronado and his army which definitely goes against their label as 'savages'. Also, how he says that they commence through "signs" is also quite interesting as it shows how unique and suggests just how rich their culture actually was (is).